CONFESSION OF FAITH 



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SOME PASSAGES 



HISTORY OP THE FIRST CHURCH, 

IN CONNEXION WITH THE 

SHEPARD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY 
IN CAMBRIDGE: 

TOGETHER WITH ITS 

CONFESSION OF FAITH, FORM OF ADMISSION, 
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES, AND RULES, 

AND 

NAMES OF MEMBERS. 



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THAT THOU MAYE5T KNOW HOW THOU OUGHTEST TO BEHAVE THYSELF 
IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, 
THE TILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH." — 1 Tim. III. 19. 



CAMBRIDGE: "Y\ V £^S 
THURSTON AND TORRY. 



M DCCC XLII. 




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*$* 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following Confession of Faith, Form of Ad- 
mission, Ecclesiastical Principles, and Rules, were 
prepared in accordance with a vote of the Church, 
and after mature, thorough, and prayerful examination 
were unanimously adopted, and, together with some 
historical notices, ordered to be printed for the use of 
the members. The work is now presented to the 
Church with the earnest prayer, that through the 
influence of Divine Grace, it may be instrumental in 
bringing us all in " the unity of the faith, and of the 
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, 
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness df 
Christ : that we henceforth be no more children, 
tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of 
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning crafti- 
ness whereby they lie in weight to deceive ; but speak- 
ing the truth in love, may grow up into him in all 
things, which is the head, even Christ : from whom 
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted 
by that which every joint supplieth, according to the 
effectual working in the measure of every part, mak- 
eth increase of the body unto the edifying of itself 
in love." 

Cambridge, July, 1842. 



SOME PASSAGES 



HISTORY OF THE FIRST CHURCH 
IN CAMBRIDGE. 

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, 
and thy works 5 and the last to be more than the first." — Rev. ii. 19. 



What hours of temptation may overtake these 
churches, is not for us to say ; only the Lord doth 
many times so order things, that when his people have 
made a good Confession, they shall be put upon the 
trial one way or other, to see whether they have, or 
who among them hath not, been sincere in what they 
have done. The Lord grant that our loins may be 
so girt about with truth, that we may be able to stand 
in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. — 
Preface to the Confession of Faith adopted by the Churches 
of Massachusetts, in 1680. 



SOME PASSAGES 

IN THE 

HISTORY OF THE FIRST CHURCH 
IN CAMBRIDGE. 



The settlement of Cambridge, originally called 
Newtown, was commenced in the Spring of the year 
1631. The town was considerably enlarged by the 
arrival of a number of emigrants, called the Brain- 
tree company, in August, 1632. As the quiet enjoy- 
ment of religious privileges was the great object of 
their removal to this place, their first work was to 
erect a house for public worship, and adopt measures 
for the establishment of the ministry and the ordi- 
nances of the gospel among them. It was the com- 
mon remark of the early settlers of New England, 
that a country destitute of the gospel ministry re- 
sembled paradise without the tree of life. 

Many of the emigrants had, while in England, be- 
longed to the congregation of the Rev. Thomas 
Hooker, a preacher of great celebrity, who, to escape 
fines and imprisonment for nonconformity, had fled 
into Holland. Being greatly attached to him, and 



8 

wishing to enjoy again the benefits of his able min- 
istry, they invited him to come and take the pastoral 
charge of them. In compliance with their earnest 
entreaty, Mr. Hooker left Holland, and having per- 
suaded Mr. Samuel Stone, a man of like spirit, to 
accompany him as an assistant in the ministry, took 
passage for New England, and arrived at Boston, Sep- 
tember 4, 1633. Mr. Hooker was immediately 
chosen Pastor, and Mr. Stone Teacher of the people 
of Newtown; and on the 11th of October, after sol- 
emn fasting and prayer, they were ordained to their 
respective offices. Early in the Summer of 1636, the 
whole Church and Congregation, consisting of about 
a hundred persons, removed to Connecticut, and com- 
menced the settlement of Hartford. 

In October, 1635, the Rev. Thomas Shepard arrived 
at Boston from England, with the people who were 
to constitute his society. Having purchased the 
houses and lands which Mr. Hooker's congregation 
were about to leave, they made arrangements for es- 
tablishing themselves at Newtown, until they should 
find a more suitable place. But after having been 
here some time, says Shepard in his autobiography, 
" divers of our brethren did desire to sit still and not 
to remove farther ; partly because of the fellowship 
of the churches, partly because they thought their 
lives were short and removals to near plantations full 
of troubles, partly because they found sufficient for 
themselves and their company. Hereupon there was 
a purpose to enter into church fellowship," and on the 
first day of February, 1636, a public assembly was 



9 

convened, and a church, the first permanent one in 
Cambridge, and the eleventh in Massachusetts, was 
solemnly organized. The following account of this 
transaction is taken from Winthrop's Journal. 

" Mr. Shepard, a godly minister come lately out 
of England, and divers other good Christians, intend- 
ing to raise a church body, came and acquainted the 
magistrates therewith, who gave their consent. They 
also sent to all the neighboring churches for their 
elders to give their assistance, at a certain day, at 
Newtown, when they should constitute their body. 
Accordingly, on this day there met a great assembly, 
where the proceeding was as followeth : 

" Mr. Shepard and two others, who were to be cho- 
sen to office, sat together in the elder's seat. Then the 
elder of them began with prayer. After this, Mr. 
Shepard prayed with deep confession of sin, &>c, 
and exercised out of Ephesians v. and also opened 
the cause of their meeting. Then the elder desired 
to know of the churches assembled, what number 
were needful to make a church, and how they ought 
to proceed in this action. Whereupon some of the 
ancient ministers, conferring shortly together, gave 
answer : That the Scripture did not set down any 
certain rule for the number. Three, they thought, 
were too few, because by Matth. xviii. an appeal was 
allowed from three; but that seven might be a fit 
number. And, for their proceedings, they advised 
that such as were to join should make confession of 
their faith, and declare what work of grace the Lord 



10 

had wrought in them ; which accordingly they did, 
Mr. Shepard first, then four others, then the elder, 
and one who was to be deacon, who had also prayed, 
and another member. Then the covenant was read, 
and they all gave a solemn assent to it. Then the 
elder desired of the churches, that, if they did ap- 
prove them to be a church, they would give them the 
right hand of fellowship. Whereupon Mr. Cotton, 
upon short speech with some others near him, in the 
name of their churches, gave his hand to the elder, 
with a short speech of their assent, and desired the 
peace of the Lord Jesus to be with them. Then Mr. 
Shepard made an exhortation to the rest of his body, 
about the nature of their covenant, and to stand firm 
to it, and commended them to the Lord in a most 
heavenly prayer. Then the elder told the assembly, 
that they were intended to choose Mr. Shepard for 
their pastor, and desired the churches, that, if they 
had anything to except against him, they would im- 
part it to them before the day of ordination. Then 
he gave the churches thanks for their assistance, and 
so left them to the Lord." 

Mr. Shepard's ordination took place soon after, 
though the precise date of it is not known. It was 
deferred, says Mather, until another day, wherein 
there was more time to go through the other solem- 
nities proper to such an occasion. 

Mr. Shepard died of a quinsy, August 25, 1649, in 
the forty-fourth year of his age, after a most able and 
successful ministry of thirteen years, He was one 



11 

of the most eminent of the early divines of New 
England. His preaching was in demonstration of 
the spirit and with power. It is said that he seldom 
delivered a discourse that did not produce a decided 
and saving impression upon his people. His practi- 
cal writings are still of great value. He was as 
much distinguished for his piety, industry, and vigi- 
lance as a pastor, as for his talents and learning. 
Such was the public opinion of him, and of his 
ministry, that " when the foundation of a college 
was to be laid in this State, Cambridge, rather 
than any other place was chosen to be the seat of 
that happy seminary ; out of which there proceed- 
ed many notable preachers, who were made such, 
very much by their sitting under Mr. Shepard's en- 
lightening and powerful ministry." * Those who wish 
to obtain a more intimate acquaintance with the re- 
ligious character and experience of this remarkable 
man are referred to his Autobiography, which was 
discovered and published in 1830, by the Rev. N. 
Adams, then one of the pastors of this church. 

The following is a list of the ministers of the first 
church in Cambridge from its organization in 1636, 
until the settlement of Dr. Holmes, in 1792. 

Thomas Shepard, ordained Feb. 1636, died Aug. 
25, 1649, aged 44. 

Jonathan Mitchel, ordained Aug. 21, 1650, died 
July 9, 1668, aged 43, 

* Mather's Magnalia, B. iii. chap. 5. 



12 

Urian Oakes, ordained Nov. 8, 1671, died July 25, 
1681, aged 50. 

Nathaniel Gookin, ordained Nov. 15, 1682, died 
Aug. 7, 1692, aged 34. 

William Brattle, ordained Nov. 25, 1696, died Feb. 
15, 1717, aged 55. 

Nathaniel Appleton, ordained Oct. 9, 1717, died 
Feb. 9, 1784, aged 91. 

Timothy Hilliard, installed Oct. 27, 1783, died 
May 9, 1790, aged 44.* 

On the 19th of Oct. 1791, the church elected the 
Rev. Abiel Holmes their pastor as the successor of 
Mr. Hilliard, and the parish, upon receiving official 
notice of his election, voted concurrence. A coun- 
cil was accordingly convened, and Dr. Holmes was 
solemnly installed pastor of the first church and so- 
ciety in Cambridge, on the 25th of Jan. 1792. 
During a period of thirty-five years, he enjoyed the 
confidence and affection of the people of his pastoral 
charge, and his labors among them were not without 
good fruit. Entire harmony also existed between 
the church and the society. In 1827, difficulties 
arose, which, after a protracted and painful contro- 
versy, terminated in the separation of the pastor and 

* For biographical notices of these learned, able, and pious 
ministers, see Dr. Holmes's History of Cambridge, and also 
his Century Sermon, Jan. 4, 1801. 



13 

the church from the parish, and the organization of 
a new ecclesiastical society, with which the church is 
still in connexion The following account of those 
proceedings is transcribed from the records of the 
church. 

The first notice of dissatisfaction with the minis* 
try, or of disaffection to the person of the pastor, was 
expressed in a memorial signed by a number of the 
parishioners, dated July 9, 1827, and presented to 
the pastor on the 28th of the same month. The 
ground of the memorial was the discontinuance of 
pastoral exchanges with ministers, with whom he had 
formerly exchanged services. A discontinuance of 
pulpit exchanges between ministers of different re- 
ligious principles had begun long before, by mutual 
and tacit consent. The more open avowal of Uni- 
tarianism at this, than at any former period, very 
sensibly affected ministerial intercourse, and many 
ministers, who had formerly exchanged services, now 
discontinued them without controversy and without 
blame. 

To the memorial of the parishioners the pastor 
gave a written answer, in which he asked their in- 
dulgence in candidly presenting to them the difficul- 
ties and dangers that might be apprehended from so 
diversified and indefinite a course of public service, 
as their memorial appeared to have for its object ; 
and expressed his persuasion, that they would con- 
sider his reply with the same candor with which he 
endeavored to consider their memorial, and that they 
2 



14 

would allow their minister the same liberty of con- 
science which he allowed to them. A correspond- 
ence between a committee of the memorialists and 
the pastor succeeded. Parish meetings were at 
length held, against whose measures remonstrances 
and memorials were presented by a number of the 
parishioners, and by the church. 

In December, 1828, the parish, deeming it unne- 
cessary to take any farther order in relation to the 
memorials and papers, proposed the calling of a 
mutual ecclesiastical council. 

The church, by a committee chosen to express to 
the pastor their views and feelings in relation to the 
recent measures adopted by the parish, presented to 
him an address on the 9th of January, 1829. After 
a review of the proceedings of the parish, the church 
say : " These facts, with many other considerations 
that might be urged, serve to show, that a radical 
change in your ministrations, if not in your opinions, 
was what could alone satisfy the memorialists. Under 
these circumstances, the church has manifested a 
willingness, and has voted to cooperate with the 
parish in calling a mutual council. This offer was 
rejected under circumstances not altogether favorable 
to a reconciliation of existing difficulties, and, as we 
believe, without a due regard to the rights of the 
church, as a party deeply concerned in the result." 
The address was closed with these words : " From a 
careful and impartial view, therefore, of the whole 
subject, the undersigned, in behalf of the church, 



15 

feel constrained to believe, that a sense of duty, a 
regard to the honor, the interest, and the permanent 
good of the people under your pastoral care, have 
been the governing motives which have influenced 
you in the decisions made upon the several proposi- 
tions submitted by the parish." 

The pastor made a communication to the com- 
mittee of the parish, on the 29th of January, on the 
subject of a mutual council, in which he declared his 
ready consent to their proposal, if the council were 
regularly called according to the usage of our 
churches, and to the express desire of this church 
and of other respectable parishioners. But neither 
the parish, nor its committee, would allow the church 
any participation in the affair, nor admit its claims 
to a concurrent voice with the pastor. 

An ex parte council, called by the committee 
authorized by a former vote of the parish, convened 
on the 19th of May, 1829, and recommended to the 
parish to terminate the contract subsisting between 
them and their minister. On the 8th of June, the 
parish voted to accept the result of that council, and 
declared the pastor's connexion with the parish to 
be dissolved. The pastor, on receiving a copy of 
these transactions from the parish clerk, replied by 
referring to his protest against the jurisdiction of the 
ex parte council, and adding, that he still considered 
himself as the lawful minister of the parish, and 
held himself ready to perform any and all of the 
duties, in or out of the pulpit, which belonged to 



16 

his office as pastor of the first church and society in 
Cambridge. 

The church, with other parishioners who had pro- 
tested against the proceedings of the parish, and 
against the jurisdiction of the ex parte council, to- 
gether with other aggrieved members of the society, 
considering Dr. Holmes as still their pastor, and 
knowing that he was ready to perform any duties per- 
taining to his pastoral office, were disposed to meet 
together with one accord, in one place, for an ap- 
propriate observance of the Lord's day. Their dis- 
position and desire being made known to their pastor, 
with information that they would assemble at the old 
court house on the ensuing sabbath, at the usual 
hour of divine service, their pastor met them there, 
and performed the service to a full, attentive, and 
solemn assembly. 

An advisory council, being called by letters missive 
from the pastor and the church, convened at Cam- 
bridge on the 17th of June. The result shows that 
this council are " unanimously of opinion that Dr. 
Holmes has not in any way forfeited his office as 
pastor of the first church and parish in Cambridge ; 
and that he is still, according to ecclesiastical usage, 
the pastor and minister of said church and parish : 
and approve the course pursued by him in continuing 
to perform parochial duties wherever and to whomso- 
ever he may have opportunity ; and advise him and 
the church, and other friends of truth, not to forsake 
the assembling of themselves together, but to main- 



17 

tain divine worship and the celebration of divine 
ordinances. 

The church, at a notified meeting held June 25th, 
voted unanimously, " that the result of the council, 
called by the church and its pastor on the 17th inst, 
meets its approbation ; and that the counsel and ad- 
vice therein contained will be, by divine aid, relig- 
iously followed." Divine service was accordingly 
held statedly by the pastor and the church, with a re- 
spectable number of the society, at the court house, 
until a house of worship was erected for their use. 
The whole number of members belonging to the 
church at that time was about ninety, full two thirds 
of whom followed the pastor, and attended upon his 
ministry. The number of male members was twenty- 
one, fifteen of whom were the uniform friends and 
supporters of the pastor, and two only, took an active 
part in the measures of the parish. 

A society, composed of persons who adhered to the 
church and its pastor, had been recently organized 
for the purpose of supporting the gospel here in its 
purity, by the name of The Shepard Congrega- 
tional Society. With this society the church, as 
a body, was, on the 12th of November, respectfully 
invited to unite and cooperate according to the rights 
and usages of congregational churches. The pastor, 
not being legally dismissed from office in the first 
parish, could not consistently attach himself to this 
new society, and become, in form, its minister. In 
consideration of these circumstances, the church 
2* 



18 

having consulted with their pastor, " whose relation 
to us," said they, " we wish to hold sacred and invi- 
olable, and finding that, in present circumstances, 
the choice of a colleague pastor meets with his entire 
approbation," voted ; " that until such time as our 
rights, with those of our pastor, shall be respected, 
and the privileges of the gospel ministry be enjoyed, 
as heretofore, in connexion with the first parish in 
Cambridge, we will, as a church, accede to the in- 
vitation of the said Shepard Congregational Society, 
and cooperate with it in maintaining the worship and 
ordinances of the gospel, according to the established 
principles and usages of Congregational churches in 
this commonwealth." 

In pursuance of the object, and subject to the 
conditions of the preceding vote, the church pro- 
ceeded to invite and call Mr. Nehemiah Adams, jr. 
to the office of colleague pastor in this church, in con- 
nexion with the Rev. Dr. Holmes as senior pastor. 
A committee was then chosen, to communicate a 
copy of the preamble and votes to the Shepard Soci- 
ety, and request their concurrence ; and in case of 
their concurrence, to communicate to Mr. Adams the 
doings of the church, and in case of his acceptance 
of the call, to take all due and usual measures in re- 
lation to his ordination. Mr. Adams accepted the 
call, and was accordingly ordained as colleague pastor 
of the first church in Cambridge, on the 17th day of 
December, 1829. 

A lot of land having been given by Miss Sarah 



19 

Ann Dana, and funds sufficient to defray the expense 
of erecting a suitable house for public worship hav- 
ing been obtained, the ground was broken up for 
that purpose on the 5th day of August, 1830. At 
six o'clock on the morning of that day, the members 
of the church, with their pastors, repaired to the spot, 
where a prayer was offered by the junior pastor, and 
a hymn was sung ; after which the senior pastor 
briefly stated the causes which had brought them to 
that place, offered a prayer, and, after the singing of 
another hymn, pronounced a benediction. 

The corner stone of the house of worship for the 
First Church, in connexion with the Shepard Con- 
gregational Society in Cambridge, was laid with ap- 
propriate ceremonies on the 21st day of September, 
1830. The solemnity was introduced with an ad- 
dress by the senior pastor ; an ode, adapted to the 
occasion, was then sung ; a prayer was then offered 
by the senior pastor ; a pastoral letter from the junior 
pastor, absent on account of sickness, was read ; an 
address and prayer by the Rev. Samuel Green of 
Boston followed ; and the exercises were concluded 
by a benediction. 



20 

On this occasion, a silver plate inclosed in a leaden 
box, presented by a Christian friend, was placed under 
the stone with this inscription : 

TO 

JESUS CHRIST 

AND 

THE CHURCH, 

THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH. 



FIRST CHURCH AND SHEPARD SOCIETY 

IN CAMBRIDGE : 

Abiel Holmes, | p& 

JNehemiah Adams, ) 

William Hilliard, ) ^ 

T ,/r ' > Deacons ; 

James Munroe, ) 

xxi September, mdcccxxx. 

The corner stone was laid after the introductory 
address by the senior pastor ; and, while laying the 
stone, he pronounced the following words : 

The Church is built upon the Apostles and Proph- 
ets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. 
Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, 
which is Jesus Christ. May the stone which we now 
lay be a true emblem of the great corner stone upon 
which the First Church in Cambridge was originally 
built, and a pledge of its permanent continuance 



21 

upon the same everlasting foundation, Jesus Christ, 
the same yesterday, to-day, and forever. 

The house of worship, the corner stone of which 
had been thus laid, was dedicated to God the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost, on the 23d of February, 183J . 
The exercises at the Dedication were : An Introduc- 
tory Anthem ; Reading of the Scriptures ; Consecra- 
tion Anthem ; Prayer ; Hymn ; Sermon by the senior 
pastor, from Jeremiah vi. 18 ; Prayer ; Original Hymn 
by the junior pastor ; Benediction. 

In the month of August, 1831, the Deacon of the 
church of the First Parish in Cambridge, commenced 
a suit at law against William Hilliard and James 
Munroe, in their capacity as Deacons of the First 
Church in Cambridge, to recover certain articles of 
church property, as set forth in the writ, and held them 
to answer to a plea of the case, in the penal sum of 
five thousand dollars. As it had been ascertained, 
that, in a case believed to be similar to this, the Su- 
preme Judicial Court of this Commonwealth had de- 
cided that church property, so called, belongs to the 
parish, or to such members of the church as shall 
adhere to the parish in case of a separation, the 
church, at a regular meeting, appointed a committee 
who were " authorized and empowered, with legal ad- 
vice thereto, further to defend according to the cir- 
cumstances that might be found to exist, or to deliver 
up to the demandant all such property of the church, 
as should be specified in the schedule annexed to the 
writ, in the suit of said demandant, and to take his 
legal discharge therefor." 



22 

The committee appointed under this vote, having ob- 
tained legal advice upon the subject referred to them, 
thought best to deliver up the church property to the 
plaintiff, and on the 28th day of December the fol- 
lowing instrument was executed by him : 

" Know all men by these presents, that I, Abel 
Whitney, Deacon of the First Church in Cambridge, 
in behalf of said church, have this day received of 
Deacon William Hilliard, and Deacon James Munroe, 
the property constituting the church fund, and poor's 
fund belonging to said church, amounting in money, 
and securities for money, to the sum of four thou- 
sand one hundred and fifty-four dollars and three 
cents. Also the communion service of said church, 
consisting of four silver tankards, seven silver cups, 
one silver spoon, six britannia dishes, two napkins, 
one table cloth, and basin, four books of church 
Records, and sundry files of papers, and a trunk 
and box containing the same. Also the Library of 
Books, with the shelves for the same, and nine dol- 
lars and ninety-nine cents for the same." 

The church fund, for the recovery of which this 
suit was brought, was originally constituted by the 
donation of fifty pounds by a member of the church, 
and increased to the above mentioned sum entirely 
by contributions of the church members at the Lord's 
Supper. A part of the church plate, above referred 
to, was given to the church, and the rest was pur- 
chased with its own funds. 

It may be interesting to state, in this connexion, 



23 

that, while the church was suffering great inconve- 
nience from the loss of its table furniture, the manu- 
script Autobiography of Thomas Shepard was prov- 
identially obtained by Mr. Adams, and a sufficient 
number of copies were printed to defray the expense 
of a suitable communion service, which is still in use. 
Thus, after a period of nearly two hundred years, the 
founder of the church was permitted to furnish it 
with the means of celebrating the ordinances of the 
gospel. 



& 



In September, 1831, the senior pastor, laboring 
under continued and increasing debility, unable to 
perform stated, and seldom able to perform occasion- 
al service, asked the consent of the church to his 
retiring from the pastoral cares. The church con- 
sented to the request, and united with the pastor in 
calling a council to sanction the procedure, if it 
should see fit. The council convened on the 26th of 
September, 1831, and after due deliberation, sanc- 
tioned the proposed dissolution of the pastoral con- 
nexion between Dr. Holmes and the church. Their 
decision is thus declared in their Result : 

" A letter from the senior pastor of the First 
Church in Cambridge, requesting a dissolution of the 
pastoral connexion that has subsisted between them 
for nearly forty years, on account of advanced age 
and infirmity, together with the reply of the church, 
consenting to such a dissolution, and uniting in the 
choice of a council for carrying it into effect if they 
see proper, were laid before the council. Whereupon 
voted, that, in the opinion of this council, the rea- 



24 

sons assigned by the senior pastor for the dissolution 
of his pastoral relation, and the consent on the part 
of the church, are satisfactory ; and that the pastoral 
relation between the Rev. Dr. Holmes and the First 
Church in Cambridge be, and accordingly it is, 
hereby dissolved. 

" It is with mingled emotions of pain and satisfac- 
tion, that this council have attended to the business 
for which they have been convened. While they 
deeply regret the occasion that has led to their result, 
in the bodily infirmities attending the advancing age 
of the venerated and beloved senior pastor of the 
First Church in Cambridge, they are most happy in 
the reflection that the ministerial and Christian char- 
acter of Dr. Holmes is unspotted ; that he has been 
enabled by divine grace to bear the peculiar trials, to 
which he has been called in the course of his minis- 
try, with exemplary wisdom, firmness, meekness, and 
patience ; and that, in the circumstances attending 
the dissolution of his pastoral connexion, a spirit of 
union and harmony has been manifested by the re- 
spective parties so deeply interested. 

"It is unnecessary for this council to add any- 
thing by way of testimonial and recommendation to 
a character so well known in this Commonwealth, in 
this country, and in Europe, as that of the late pastor 
of the First Church in Cambridge, the long tried and 
highly esteemed friend of learning and religion. His 
works are his testimonial, and his praise is in all the 
churches." 



25 

Dr. Holmes preached his Farewell Sermon on the 
2d of October, 1831. He died in the exercise of 
strong faith, and in the comforts of a hope full of 
immortality, on the 12th day of June, 1837, in the 
seventy-fourth year of his age. 

Within three years after the dismission of Dr. 
Holmes, the church was called to part with its re- 
maining pastor. On the 22d of February, 1834, 
the Rev. Mr. Adams, having received an invitation 
from the Essex Street Church and Society in Boston 
to become their pastor, and believing it to be his 
duty to accept it, requested the church and society 
to unite with him in calling an ecclesiastical council 
to dissolve his ministerial connexion with them. 
This request was complied with, though with great 
reluctance, and a council was accordingly invited 
to assemble at Cambridge for this purpose. The 
council met on the 14th of March following, and, 
after serious deliberation, unanimously dismissed Mr. 
Adams with a view to his acceptance of the call 
from Boston. 

On the 30th of January, 1835, the church unani- 
mously elected the Rev. John A. Albro their pastor, 
the society concurring in the choice. Mr. Albro sig- 
nified his acceptance of their call by letter dated 
March 28th ; and on the 15th of April following, he 
was regularly installed pastor of the church and 
society by an ecclesiastical council duly called for 
that purpose. 



26 

It is impossible now to ascertain the names and char- 
acters of those who have held the office of Deacon in 
this church from its organization. At the time of its 
separation from the first parish, and union with the 
Shepard Congregational Society, which may.be re- 
garded as an important epoch in its history, Wil- 
liam Hilliard and James Munroe were its Deacons. 
Mr. Hilliard died April 27, 1836. He was an honest 
and good man ; " not double-tongued, not greedy of 
filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a 
pure conscience." He " used the office of a Deacon 
well, and purchased to himself a good degree, and 
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."* 
On the 21st of April, 1837, brother Stephen T. Far- 
well was chosen in the place of Deacon Hilliard; 
and on the 30th of the same month, he was solemnly 
set apart to the office of Deacon by prayer, according 
to the ancient usage of the congregational churches. 

We conclude this brief history of our ancient 
church in the words of Solomon : Blessed be the 
Lord, that hath given rest unto his people, according 
to all that he promised ; there hath not failed one 
word of all his good promise, which he promised by 
the hand of Moses his servant. The Lord our God 
be with us, as he was with our fathers ; let him not 
leave us, nor forsake us ; that he may incline our 
hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep 
his commandments, and his statutes, and his judg- 
ments, which he commanded our fathers. And let 

* 1 Tim. iii. 8, 9, 13. 



27 



the words wherewith we have made supplication be- 
fore the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord day and night, 
that he maintain the cause of his people at all times, 
as the matter shall require ; that all the people of the 
earth may know that the Lord is God, and that there 
is none else.* 



1 Kings viii. 56-60. 



CONFESSION OF FAITH. 



" That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Fath- 
er of our Lord Jesus Christ." — Rom. xv. 6. 

" For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the 
mouth confession is made unto salvation." — Rom. x. 10. 



3# 



The following Articles are, in substance, and for 
the most part in language, taken from the " Confes- 
sion of Faith, owned and consented unto by the Elders 
and Messengers of the churches assembled at Boston, 
May 12, 1680," which is the basis of the Confes- 
sions of all the Orthodox Congregational Churches 
in New England. 



CONFESSION OF FAITH, 



ARTICLE I. 



OF THE BEING OF GOD. 



There is one only living and true God 1 , who 
is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient 2 , 
the fountain of life and being, of whom 
and through whom are all things visible and 
invisibles, to whom all intelligent creatures are 
bound to render supreme homage, love, and 
obedience 4 . 

1 Deut. vi. 4. Coll. i. 16, 17. 
1 Thess. i. 9. Heb. i. 2. 
Jer. x. 10. John i. 2, 3. 

2 Acts xvii. 24, 25. Job xxvi. 13. 

3 Rom. xi. 36. Job xxxiii. 4. 

1 Cor. viii. 4, 6. 4 Rev. v. 11 - 14. 

Gen. i. 1-27. Rom. xi. 36. 



32 



ARTICLE II. 

OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES. 

Although the light of nature, and the works 
of creation and providence, do so far reveal the 
being and attributes of God, as to leave men in- 
excusable in their unbelief 1 , yet it has pleased 
him to reveal himself, and to declare his will 
more fully and clearly, in the Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testament 2 , which were written 
by divine inspiration 3 , and are given to mankind 
by God's authority 4 , as a sufficient revelation of 
all things necessary to salvation 5 , and the only 
perfect and infallible rule of faith and practice 6 , 
by which all doctrines and commandments of 
men are to be tried, and all religious controver- 
sies are to be determined 7 . 

1 Rom. i. 19, 20. 5 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. 

2 Heb. i. 1, 2. 6 Rev. xxii. 18, 19. 

3 2 Pet. i. 21. Gal. i. 8. 
MThess. ii. 13. 7 Is. viii. 20. 



ARTICLE III. 

OF THE DIVINE ATTRIBUTES. 

God is a most pure and perfect spirit 1 , self- 
existent 2 , eternal 3 , immutable 4 , infinite and in- 



33 



comprehensible 5 in holiness 6 , wisdom 7 , benev- 
olence 8 , and power 9 ; the rewarder of them 
that diligently seek him 10 ; long suffering, abund- 
ant in goodness and truth 11 ; ready to forgive, 
and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon 
him 12 ; most just and righteous in all his 
counsels, works, commands, and judgments 13 . 

1 John iv. 24. 10 Heb. xi. 6. 

2 John v. 26. u Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. 

3 Ps. xc. 2 12 Ps. Ixxxvi. 5. 

4 Jam. i. 17. 13 Neh. ix. 32, 33. 

5 Job. xi. 7-9. Is. xxv. 1. 
Ps. cxiv. 3. Ps. xxxiii. 4. 

6 Is. vi. 3. Rom. vii. 12. 

7 Rom. xi. 33. Rev. xvi. 7. 
8 1 John iv. 8. Ps. cxlv. 17. 
9 Gen. xvii. 1. 



ARTICLE IV. 

OF THE TRINITY. 

In the unity of the Godhead there are three 
persons of one substance, power, and eternity j 
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost 1 . 

1 1 John v. 7. John xv. 26. 

Matt, xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. 

John i. 1, 2, 3, 14, 18. 



34 



ARTICLE V. 

OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE. 

God upholds 1 , directs, disposes, and governs 
all creatures and things from the greatest to the 
least 2 , by his most wise and holy providence 3 , 
according to his infallible foreknowledge, 4 and 
the free and immutable counsel of his own will 5 , 
to the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, 
goodness, and mercy 6 . 

1 Heb. i. 3. 4 Acts xv. 18. 

2 Dan.iv. 34,35. 6 Eph. i. 11. 

Ps. cxxxv. 6. Ps. xxxiii. 11. 

Matt. x. 29-31. e Eph. iii. 10. 
3 Prov. xv. 3. Rom. ix. 17. 

2 Chron. xvi. 9. Ps. cxlv. 7. 



ARTICLE VI. 

OF THE CREATION AND FALL OF MAN. 

God created the first parents of our race 
with rational and immortal souls 1 , endued with 
knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, 
after his own image 2 , and gave them a holy 



35 



law with the promise of life to them, and in 
them to their posterity, upon condition of per- 
fect and personal obedience 3 ; but they by volun- 
tarily transgressing the divine command, in eat- 
ing the forbidden fruit 4 , fell from their state of 
original righteousness and communion with 
God 5 , into a state of sin and death 6 ; in conse- 
quence of which, they being the root, and the 
public representatives of all mankind 7 , their 
whole posterity are by nature alienated from 
God 8 , entirely unholy and corrupt 9 , inclined to 
all evil 10 , under the condemnation of the divine 
law 11 , and subject to death, temporal and eter- 
nal 12 . 



Coll. i. 21. 
9 Gen. vi. 5. 
Ps. li. 1. 
Job xv. 14. 
Jer. xvii. 9. 

10 Gen. viii. 21. 
Rom. iii. 10-12. 
Rom. vii. 19. 
Matt. xv. 19. 

11 Gal. iii. 10. 
John iii. 18. 
Eph. ii. 3. 

12 Jam. i. 14, 15. 

1 Cor. xv. 21, 22, 
Rom. vi. 23. 
Rom. v. 12-19. 
Matt. xxv. 41. 

2 Thess. i. 9. 



1 Gen. 


ii. 


7. 


Eccl. 


xii. 7. 


Matt. 


X. 


28. 


2 Gen. 


i. ! 


26. 


Eccl. 


vi 


i. 29. 


3 Gen. 


ii. 


16, 17. 


Rom. 


ii. 


14, 15. 


Gen. 


iii 


.22. 


Rom. 


X. 


5. 


4 Gen. 


ii. 


17. 


Rom. 


ii 


. 15. 


Gen. 


iii 


6,11. 


5 Gen. 


iii. 


,7,8. 


Rom. 


iii 


.23. 


6 Gen. 


iii. 


, 17-19. 


7 Acts 


xvii. 26. 


8 Rom. 


viii. 7. 


Eph. 


iv. 


18. 



36 



ARTICLE VII 



OF THE REDEEMER. 



The Son of God, the second person in the 
Trinity, in accordance with an eternal purpose 
of grace 1 , freely undertook the work of re- 
deeming and saving fallen men 2 ; and when the 
fulness of time was come 3 , he took upon him 
man's nature 4 , with all its essential properties 
and common infirmities 5 , yet without sin 6 , being 
born of the Yirgin Mary, by the power of the 
Holy Ghost 7 ; was made under, and perfectly 
fulfilled, the divine Law given to men 8 ; suf- 
fered in soul and in body for our sins 9 , the 
just for the unjust 10 , and became obedient un- 
to death, even the death of the cross 11 ; and, 
having by his perfect obedience 12 , sufferings 13 , 
and sacrifice of himself 14 , which he through 
the eternal Spirit once offered up to God 15 , 
made a full and complete atonement for 
sin 16 , and obtained eternal redemption for all 
that obey him 17 , he rose from the dead 18 , 
and ascended into heaven to the glory which 
he had with the Father before the world was 19 , 
where he ever liveth to make intercession 



37 



for us 20 , and from whence he will come to judge 
both the living and the dead at the end of the 
world 21 . 



1 Eph. iii. 9-12. 
1 Pet. i. 19, 20. 

2 1 Tim. ii. 6. 
Is. Iv. 4, 5. 

1 Cor. i. 30. 

3 Gal. iv. 4. 

4 John i. 1, 14. 
Heb. ii. 16. 
Phil. ii. 7, 8. 

5 Heb. ii. 17. 
Heb. iv. 15. 

6 Heb. vii. 26. 

2 Cor. v. 21. 
IPet. ii.22. 
1 John iii. 4. 

7 Luke i. 27, 31, 35. 

8 Gal. iv. 4. 
Matt. v. 17. 

9 Matt. xxvi. 37, 38. 
Luke xxii. 24. 
Matt, xxvii. 46. 

10 1 Pet. iii. 18. 
Heb. xiii. 12. 
1 Pet. iv. 1. 

11 Phil. ii. 8. 
Matt, xxvii. 35. 
1 Cor. i. 23. 



12 Rom. v. 19. 

13 Heb. ii. 10. 

14 Heb. ix. 26. 
Heb. vii. 27. 
Eph.v. 2. 

15 Heb. ix. 14. 

16 Rom. iii. 25, 26. 
Rom. v. 11. 

17 Heb. v. 9. 
Heb. ix. 12. 

1 Thess. v. 9. 
Heb. x. 5. 

18 1 Cor. xv. 4. 
Luke xxiv. 5, 6. 
Job xx. 25, 27. 

19 Luke xxiv. 50, 51, 
1 Tim. iii. 16. 
John xvii. 5. 

20 Rom. viii. 34. 
Heb. vii. 25. 

21 Acts i. 11. 
Acts x. 42. 
Rom. xiv. 9, 10. 
1 Pet. iv. 5. 
Matt. xiii. 40-43. 
Matt. xxv. 31-46. 
Jude 6. 



38 



ARTICLE VIII. 

OF THE HOLY GHOST. 

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father 
and the Son 1 , is the only author of regenera- 
tion 2 , sanctification 3 , and new spiritual life and 
obedience in man 4 ; and without his gracious and 
effectual work in the soul, no sinner can ever 
enter into the kingdom of God 5 . 

1 John xiv. 26. 1 Pet. i. 2. 

2 Tit. iii. 5. 5 Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 27. 
John i. 12, 13. John vi. 37, 44. 

3 Rom. xv. 16. 1 Cor. ii. 14. 
2 Thess. ii. 13. Eph. ii. 5. 

4 Rom. viii. 2. John iii. 5, 6. 
John vi. 63. 



ARTICLE IX 



OF ELECTION. 



God from eternity, according to his immuta- 
ble purpose, and the most wise and holy coun- 
sel of his own will 1 , hath chosen in Christ a great 
number of the fallen race of Adam unto ever- 



39 

lasting life and glory 2 , to the praise of his free 
and sovereign grace 3 . 

1 Heb. vi. 17. John vi. 68. 
Eph. i. 4, 11. Rom. vi. 23. 
2 Tim. i. 9. 3 Eph. i. 6, 12. 
Eph. iii. 11. Col. i. 26, 27. 

2 Eph. i. 5, 11. Phil. i. 11. 
2Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. ii. 9, 10. 
John xv. 19. 2 Cor. iv. 15. 
Rev. vii. 9- 14. 



ARTICLE X. 

OF EFFECTUAL CALLING, JUSTIFICATION, ADOP- 
TION, SANCTIFICATION, AND PERSEVERANCE. 

All those whom God hath chosen unto eter- 
nal life, he effectually calls 1 , by his word 
and spirit 9 , out of that state of sin and death in 
which they are by nature, to a state of grace 
and salvation by Jesus Christ 3 ; enlightening 
their minds spiritually and savingly to under- 
stand divine things 4 , inclining them to that 
which is good 5 , and effectually drawing them 
to Christ 6 , yet so, that they come most freely, 
being made willing by his grace 7 : 

1 Matt. ix. 13. 4 Acts xxvi. 18. 
Rom. viii. 30. 1 Cor. ii. 10, 12. 
Eph. i. 10. 5 Phil. ii. 13. 
Rom. viii. 28. Deut. xxx. 6. 

2 2 Thess-. ii. 13, 14. Ezek. xi. 19, 20. 

3 Rom. viii. 2. Ezek. xxxvi. 27. 
2 Tim. i. 9, 10. 6 John vi. 37 - 45. 
Eph. ii. 1-8 7 Ps. ex. 3. 



40 

He justifies them freely® ; by pardon- 
ing their sins 9 , and accepting them as right- 
eous 10 ; not on account of any works of right- 
eousness done by them 11 , but solely for Christ's 
sake, through faith in his bloods : 

8 Rom. iii. 24. Rom. iv. 6. 
Rom. viii. 30. vz Rom. iii. 20- 26. 

9 2 Cor. v. 19, 21. Rom. v. 1. 
Jer. 1. 20. Rom. iv. 5-8. 
Heb. viii. 12. Eph. ii. 8. 

10 Rom. v. 19. Rom. iii. 25. 

Heb. xi. 4. Phil. iii. 9. 



He grants unto them the grace of 
Adoption 13 ; by which they are taken into the 
number, and enjoy the privileges of God's chil- 
dren 14 , receive the spirit of adoption whereby 
they are enabled to cry Abba, Father, the spirit 
itself bearing witness that they are the children 
of God 15 , are sealed to the day of redemption 16 , 
and inherit the promises as heirs of salvation 17 :■ 

13 Eph. i. 5. Gal. iv. 6. 
Gal. iv. 4, 5. 16 Eph. iv. 30. 

14 Rom. viii. 17. 17 Heb. vi. 12. 
John i. 12. 1 Pet. i. 4. 

15 Rom. viii. 15, 16. Rom. viii. 17. 

He sanctifies them by his word and 
spirit dwelling in them 18 ; destroying the domin- 



41 

ion of sin 19 , creating a clean heart, and renewing 
a right spirit within them 20 , working in them all 
that which is well pleasing in his sight 21 , and 
strengthening them to the practice of true holi- 
ness without which no man shall see the 
Lord 22 : 

18 Eph. v. 26. Ps. li. 10. 

1 Cor. vi. 11. Titus iii. 5. 

2 Thess. ii. 13. 21 Heb. xiii. 21. 

19 Rom. vi. 6 14. 22 Col. i. 11. 
Rom. viii. 13. Eph. iii. 16. 
Gal. v. 24. 2 Cor. vii. 1. 

20 Coll. iii. 10. Heb. xii. 14. 



Finally, though they often grieve his 
Holy Spirit by their sins 23 , he does not permit 
them to fall totally and finally from the state of 
grace ; but keeps them by his power, through 
faith, unto eternal salvation 24 . 

23 Eph. iv. 30. Jer. xxxi. 3. 

Is. lxiv. 7, 9. John xvii. 11-24. 

Rev. ii. 4. Heb. vii. 25. 

24 Phil. i. 6. Jer. xxxii. 40. 
John x. 28, 29. 1 Pet. i. 3 - 7. 
2 Tim. iv. 18. 



42 



ARTICLE XI. 



OF GOOD WORKS. 



Although we cannot merit pardon of sin, or 
eternal life by any works of our own 1 , it is our 
duty to live a godly, righteous, and sober life, 
according to the will of God 2 ; and by good 
works, done in obedience to the divine law 3 , and 
by the grace of Christ working in us 4 , we are to 
show the genuineness of our faith 5 , manifest 
our thankfulness 6 , strengthen our assurance 7 , 
adorn our profession of the gospel 8 , and glorify 
God 9 , whose workmanship we are, created in 
Christ Jesus thereunto 10 , that, having our fruit 
unto holiness, we may have the end eternal 



life 11 . 



1 Rom.iii. 20. 2 Cor. iii. 5. 

Rom. iv. 2. 4, 6. 5 James ii. 18, 22. 

Eph. ii. 8, 9. 6 Ps. cxvi. 12, 13. 

2 Titus ii. 12. 1 Pet. ii. 9. 
Heb. xiii. 21. "' John ii. 3, 5. 
Rom. xii. 1,2. 2 Pet. i. 5 - 10. 

3 Micah vi. 8. 8 Titus ii. 5- 10. 
Rom. vii. 12. 9 Matt. v. 16. 
Rom. xv. 18. 1 Pet. ii. 12. 
Jer. vii. 23. Phil. i. 11. 

4 John xv. 5, 6. John xv. 8. 
Phil. ii. 13. 10 Eph. ii. 10. 
Phil. iv. 13. » Rom. vi. 22. 



43 



ARTICLE XII. 



OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH. 

In the gospel, pardon and eternal life are 
freely offered to sinners, upon condition of re- 
pentance towards God 1 , and faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ 2 ; and without these evangelical 
graces no man can be saved 3 . 



1 Is. lv. 7. 

Ezek. xviii. 30, 31. 
Luke xxiv. 47. 
2 Pet. iii. 9. 
Acts iii. 19. 

2 Acts xvi. 31. 
John i. 12. 



Acts xx. 21. 
Rom. iii. 22. 
Gal. iii. 26. 
3 Luke xiii. 3, 5. 
Acts xvii. 30. 
John iii. 36. 



ARTICLE XIII. 



OF THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD. 



The ministry of the word being the divinely 
appointed means, whereby, ordinarily, sinners 
are turned from darkness to light, and from 



44 

the power of Satan unto God 1 , all persons are 
required and encouraged to attend upon this 
ordinance, 2 with dependence upon the influ- 
ence of the Holy Ghost without which no 
means are sufficient for their conversion 3 ; and 
all hope of salvation in voluntary neglect of it 
is presumptuous and vain 4 . 



Luke xxiv. 47. 
Matt. x. 7-27 
Mark iii. 14. 
Acts xxvi. 16 - IS, 
1 Cor. ix. 16. 
Rom. x. 14 - 17. 
'■ Josh. iii. 9. 
Is. lv. 3. 
Acts x. 22. 
Acts xiii. 7, 44. 
Micah iv. 1, 2. 



1 John xiv. 26. 
Acts i. 2, 8. 
Acts viii. 14- 17. 
Acts x. 44. 
Acts xix. 2. 

1 Thess. i. 5, 6. 
Ps. xlii. 4. 
Heb. x. 25. 

2 Tim. iv. 2-4. 
Heb. xii. 25. 
Is. Ixv. 11, 12. 



ARTICLE XIV 



OF THE CHURCH. 



God has a visible church upon earth 1 ; which 
is represented in the Scriptures as a holy, spir- 
itual kingdom 2 , established upon the foundation 
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- 



45 

self being the chief corner-stone, in whom 
the whole is joined together 3 ; embracing as 
its members and subjects all the peculiar cov- 
enant people of God throughout the world 4 ; 
and built up by divine grace from age to age, 
as a habitation of God through the Spirit 5 . 

1 1 Tim. iii. 15. Ps. ii. 8. 
Acts xx. 28. 1 Cor. i. 2. 

2 1 Pet. ii. 9. Acts ii. 39. 
Eph. v. 26, 27. 1 Cor. vii. 14. 
Col. i. 12, 13. Rom. xi. 16. 
John iii. 5. Gal. iii. 9, 14. 

1 Cor. iii. 17, 18. 5 Eph. ii. 21, 22. 

3 Matt. xvi. 18. Ps. cxxxii. 13 - 15. 
Col. i. 18. 2 Cor. vi. 16. 
Eph. i. 22, 23. Ps. cxlvii. 2. 
Eph. ii. 19-21. Rev. xxi. 3. 

4 Gen. xvii. 7. Matt. xvi. 18. 
1 Cor. xii. 12, 13. 



ARTICLE XV. 

OF THE SACRAMENTS. 



The Lord Jesus Christ has instituted two 
sacraments, as holy signs and seals of the cov- 
enant of grace 1 , of the same spiritual significa- 
tion as the corresponding Sacraments of the Old 



46 

Testament^ to be observed in the church until 
the end of the world 3 , namely, Baptism and the 
Lord's Supper 4 ; the design of which is to repre- 
sent Christ and his benefits, to confirm our in- 
terest in him, and solemnly to engage us to the 
service of God according to his word 5 . 

1 Gen. xvii. 7. * Matt, xxviii. 19. 
Rom. iv. 11. 1 Cor. xi. 23. 

2 1 Cor. x. 1 - 4. 5 1 Cor. x. 16. 

1 Cor. v. 7, 8. 1 Cor. xi. 25, 26. 

3 Matt, xxviii. 19, 20. Gal. iii. 27. 

1 Cor. xi. 26. Rom. vi. 3, 4. 



ARTICLE XVI 



OF BAPTISM. 



Baptism is a Sacrament of the New Testa- 
ment, ordained by Christ 1 , to be unto the party 
baptized a sign and seal of the covenant of 
grace 2 ; of his solemn admission into the visible 
church 3 j of the work of the Holy Spirit in re- 
newing and sanctifying the heart 4 ; and of his 
obligation to walk in newness of life 5 . The prop- 
er subjects of the ordinance are professing be- 
lievers and their households 6 ; and it is rightly 
administered by sprinkling or pouring water 



47 



upon the person in the name of the Father, of 
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost 7 . 



1 Matt, xxviii. 19. 

2 Rom. iv. 11. 
Col.ni. 11. 

3 1 Cor. xii. 13. 
Gal. Hi. 27, 28. 

4 Tit. Hi. 5. 
Acts ii. 38. 
Mark i. 8. 

5 Rom. vi. 3, 4. 

6 Mark xvi. 15, 16. 
Acts viii. 37. 
Gen. xvii. 7, 9. 
Gal. Hi. 9, 14. 
Rom. iv. 11, 12. 
Acts ii. 38, 39. 
Acts xvi. 14, 15, 33. 
Col. ii. 11, 12. 



1 Cor. vii. 14. 
Mark x. 13, 14. 
Luke xviii. 15. 
7 Acts x. 47. 
Acts viii. 36. 
Matt xxviii. 19. 
Heb. ix. 19. 
Levit. xvi. 4-7. 
Numb. viii. 7. 
Is. Hi. 15. 
Ezek. xxxvi. 25. 
Heb. x. 22. 
Zech. xii. 10. 
Is. xliv. 3. 
Joel ii. 28, 29. 
Acts ii. 17, 18. 



ARTICLE XVII. 



OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 



The Lord's Supper, consisting of bread and 
wine set apart from a common to a holy use by 
prayer 1 , was instituted by, the Lord Jesus 
Christ 2 , as the sacrament of his body and blood3, 
to show forth perpetually the sacrifice of him- 
self in his death 4 ; to seal to believers the bene- 
fits of his atonement 5 ; to promote the spiritual 
nourishment and growth of all who worthily 



48 

receive it 6 ; to be a bond of their communion 
with Christ and with each other as members of 
his spiritual body 7 ; and is to be administered 
to all who make a credible profession of evan- 
gelical faith, and maintain a blameless walk and 
conversation according to the word of God 8 . 

1 Matt. xxvi. 26, 27. ' i Cor. x. 16, 17, 21. 

2 1 Cor. xi. 23 - 26. 1 Cor. xii. 13. 

3 1 Cor. x. 16, 17, 21. 8 1 Cor. v. 6-8. 

4 1 Cor. xi. 24 - 27. 1 Cor. x. 28. 

5 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. 1 Cor. xi. 27, 29. 

6 Eph. iv. 15, 16. 2 Cor. vi. 14 - 16. 
Eph. ii. 21. 2 Thess. iii. 6, 14, 15 
Coll. ii. 19. Matt. vii. 6. 



ARTICLE XVIII. 

OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. 

God has appointed one day in seven as a 
sabbath to be kept holy unto him 1 ; which 
from the beginning of the world to the resur- 
rection of Christ was the last day of the 
week 2 , and from the resurrection of Christ 
was changed into the first day of the weeks, 
called in Scripture the Lord's day 4 , and is to be 
continued to the end of the world as the 
Christian sabbath 5 . 

1 Exod. xx. 8-11. Acts xx. 7. 
Is.lxvi. 2,4,6. 4 Rev. i. 10. 

2 Gen. ii. 3. 5 Exod. xx. 8, 10. 

3 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. Matt. v. 17, 18. 



49 



ARTICLE XIX. 

OF RELIGOUS WORSHIP. 

Religious worship, in the mode prescribed in 
the Scriptures 1 , is to be rendered unto God, the 
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and to him alone 2 , 
in the public and solemn assemblies of the 
saints on the sabbath 3 , in secret 4 , and in private 
families daily 5 ; with understanding6, faith 7 , 
love 8 , reverence, and godly fear 9 ; through the 
mediation of Christ our only redeemer and in- 
tercessor 10 . 

1 Deut. xii. 32. 5 Jer. x. 25. 
Matt. xv. 9. Job i. 5. 

2 Matt. iv. 10. 2 Sam. vi. 18, 20. 
John v. 23. Matt. vi. 11. 

2 Cor. xiii. 14. Josh. xxiv. 15. 

Rev. v. 11 - 13. 6 Ps. xlvii. 7. 

Col. ii. 18. 7 Jam. i. 6. 

Rev. xix. 10. Mark xi. 24. 

3 Is. lvi. 7. 8 Rev. ii. 4. 
Heb. x. 25. 9 Heb. xii. 28. 
Prov. viii. 34. 10 John xiv. 6. 
Acts ii. 42. 1 Tim. ii. 5. 

4 Matt. vi. 6. Eph. ii. 18. 
Eph. vi. 18. 



50 
ARTICLE XX. 

OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS. 

All the visible covenant people of God, being 
united to Jesus Christ their common head by 
faith 1 , and to each other by holy love 2 , are bound 
to maintain communion and fellowship in the 
worship and ordinances of God's house 3 ; in the 
performance of such spiritual services as tend 
to their mutual edification 4 ; and in relieving 
each others' necessities according to their ability 
and opportunity 5 . 

1 1 John i. 3. 4 Rom. xiv. 19. 
Eph. iii. 16, 17. 1 Thess. v. 11. 

2 Phil. ii. 1, 2. 5 1 John iii. 17. 
Eph. iv. 15, 16. Acts xi. 29, 30. 

3 Heb. x. 24, 25. Gal. vi. 10. 
Acts ii. 42, 46. 



ARTICLE XXI. 

OF THE STATE OF MAN AFTER DEATH. 

At death, the bodies of men return to dust 
from which they were originally taken 1 , but 
their souls, which are immortal 2 , immediately 
return to God who gave them 3 j the righteous 



51 

being received into heaven, where they behold 
the face of God in glory, waiting for the re- 
demption of their bodies 4 , and the finally impeni- 
tent, reserved in darkness unto the Judgment to 
be punished 5 . 

1 Gen. iii. 19. 4 Heb. xii. 23. 
Acts xiii. 36. Phil. i. 23. 

2 Gen. ii. 7. 1 John iii. 2. 
Matt. x. 28. 2 Cor. v. 1 - 8. 
Rev. xx. 4. 8 Luke xvi. 23, 24. 

3 Luke xxiii. 43. 2 Pet. ii. 9. 
Eccl. xii. 7. 



ARTICLE XXII 



MENT. 



God hath appointed a day wherein he will 
raise the dead 1 , and judge the world in right- 
eousness by Jesus Christ, to whom all power 
and judgment belong 2 ; when all, who have 
lived upon earth, shall appear before his tri- 
bunal to give an account of the deeds done 
in the body, and to receive according to what 
they have done, whether it be good or evil 3 : 
then the righteous, being made perfect in ho- 
liness, and united to bodies fashioned like 



52 

unto Christ's glorious body 4 , will enter into 
eternal life and blessedness 5 ; and the wicked, 
receiving bodies raised to dishonor 6 , will be 
punished with everlasting destruction from the 
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his 
power 7 . 

1 Acts xxiv. 15. 4 Phil. iii. 21. 
John v. 28, 29. 1 Cor. xv. 42-49. 
Job. xix. 26. 5 Matt. xxv. 31 - 34. 
1 Cor. xv. 12-21. Rom. ii. 7. 

2 Acts xvii. 31. Luke xx. 36. 
John v. 22, 27. Rev. xx. 6. 

3 2 Cor. v. 10. 6 Dan. xii. 2. 
Eccl. xii. 14. 7 Rom. ii. 5, 6. 
Rom. ii. 16. 2 Thess. i. 7, 8. 
Rom. xiv. 10, 12. Matt. xxv. 41, 46. 
Matt. xii. 36, 37. Rev. xx. 15. 
Rev. xx. 12. 



FORM OF ADMISSION, 



The candidate having taken his place before the Com- 
munion Table, the minister offers up a brief prayer, after 
which he says : 

Dearly Beloved, 

You have presented yourself in this holy 
place, to make a public profession of your re- 
ligious faith, and to enter into an everlasting 
covenant with God and his people. We trust 
you have well considered the nature of this sol- 
emn transaction, and are prepared by an unction 
from the Holy One, to give yourself up as a liv- 
ing sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, 
through Jesus Christ. 

Having carefully examined, and fully assent- 
ed to the creed of this Church, as set forth in 
its printed Confession, do you now publicly and 
solemnly profess your entire and cordial belief 
in each and every article of it, and your sincere 
5* 



54 

desire and resolution, by the Grace of God, to 
walk with this Church in the unity and fellow- 
ship of this faith ? 

Here the ordinance of Baptism is to be administered, 
unless the candidate was baptized in infancy. 

The minister then says : 

You will now enter into covenant with God 3 
and with this church. 

THE COVENANT. 

In the presence of God, angels, and this as- 
sembly, you do this day avouch the Lord Jeho- 
vah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your 
God and portion forever. You acknowledge 
the Lord Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, and 
the Holy Spirit, as your Sanctifler, Comforter, 
and Guide. Renouncing all hope of eternal life 
through works of righteousness which you have 
done, your entire trust is in the blood of Jesus, 
and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. 

Deeply sensible of your obligations to redeem- 
ing love, you hereby devote yourself to God, in 
the everlasting covenant of his grace, consecrat- 
ing all that you have and are to his glory, and 
the advancement of his kingdom in the world. 

It is the purpose of your heart henceforth to 
lead a sober, righteous, and godly life, abstaining 
from the vanities of the world, and taking the 



55 

principles of Christ's religion, as declared in his 
sermon on the mount, to govern your intercourse 
with your fellow men. 

You now cordially join yourself to this 
church, as a true church of Christ ; and relying 
upon that Grace which is able to keep you from 
falling, you promise to walk in communion and 
fellowship with it ; to observe faithfully its 
special ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's 
Supper, as well as its solemn assemblies j to 
submit to the government and discipline which 
it has adopted ; to watch over its interests ; to 
labor for its peace, edification, and purity ; to 
avoid every occasion of offence ; and to exercise 
towards its members a spirit of meek, forgiv- 
ing, and faithful love. 

This you solemnly profess and engage. 

Here the members of the church will rise. 

The members of this church now express 
their willingness to enter into covenant with 
you. They cordially welcome you to a com- 
munion of labors and of privileges. They en- 
gage to watch over you in the Lord with Chris- 
tian tenderness and affection, and to promote to 
the extent of their power your growth in grace, 
your happiness, and your usefulness. 

I, then, as a minister of Jesus Christ, do 
in his name acknowledge and declare you a 



56 

member of his visible kingdom, and entitled to 
its privileges and blessings, which are well order- 
ed in all things and sure. This people is your 
people, and their God, your God. Now there- 
fore you are no more a stranger and foreigner, 
but a fellow citizen of the saints, and of the 
household of God, and are built upon the foun- 
dation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus 
Christ himself being the chief corner stone. In 
him, may this building, fitly framed together, 
grow into a holy temple in the Lord ; and in it, 
may you be builded for a habitation of God 
through the Spirit. Amen. 



PRACTICAL RULES 



FOR THE 



DIRECTION OF THE CONSCIENCE. 



" That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all 
good works."— 2 Tim. iii. 17. 



PRACTICAL RULES. 



1. Maintain, according to your ability and 
opportunity, all the ordinances which Christ has 
instituted for his own glory, and the edification 
of the Church. 

Zach. xiv. 18. 1 Cor. xiv. 12. Luke i. 6. Heb. xiii. 15, 16. 
Heb. x. 23-25. Is. lviii. 2. Mal/iii. 7. 

2. Regard the favor and everlasting enjoy- 
ment of God, as the great end of life, and let all 
your plans and efforts in the world have prima- 
ry reference to this end. 

Ps. lxxiii. 24 - 26. John xvii. 22, 24. 

3. Contemplate the obedience, sacrifice, me- 
diation, and intercession of Christ, as the pro- 
curing cause of all blessings temporal, spiritual, 
and eternal ; and gratefully acknowledge him as 
the only source of your peace and joy. 

Col. i. 19. Matt, xxviii. 18. Heb. vii. 25. Eph. i. 11, 14. 



60 

4. Earnestly strive to walk in Christ's steps, 
and to be holy as he is holy, that you may 
adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all 
things, and recommend the religion of the gos- 
pel to the consciences and hearts of your fellow 
men. 

1 John ii. 6. Eph. i. 4. 1 Pet. i. 15. Tit. ii. 10. 
2 Cor. iv. 2. 

5. Ever keep in mind that love to God and 
zeal for his glory are the highest duties of the 
Christian ; and judge of your acceptable per- 
formance of them, not by occasional excitement, 
but by your habitual frame of mind ; by the 
punctual and steady discharge of the obligations 
which rest upon you as Christians ; by your 
cheerful submission to the divine will ; and by 
your constant and earnest efforts to promote the 
kingdom of Christ in the world. 

Deut. vi. 5. 1 Cor. x. 31. Gal. vi. 9. Mark iii. 35. 
Matt. vi. 10. Acts i. 8. Acts v. 42. 

6. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it ho- 
ly according to the commandment ; and en- 
deavor to avoid all disturbance and wandering 
of mind in the services of the Sanctuary ; to 
banish worldy cares from the heart, and ex- 
clude secular subjects from conversation on the 



61 

Lord's day ; and to make it a season of sacred 
rest, and of holy enjoyment. 

Exod. xx. 8-11. 1 Chron. xvi. 29. John iv. 23, 24. 
Is. lviii. 13, 14. Is. lvi. 2, 4. 

7. Maintain the daily worship of God in the 
family, and in the closet ; and that you may 
avoid all coldness and formality in this service, 
prepare yourselves for it by devout reading and 
meditation. 

Mai. i. 11. 1 Tim. xi. 8. Job i. 5. 2 Sam. vi. 18, 20. 
Josh. xxiv. 15. Matt. vi. 6. Eph. vi. 18. 



8. Set apart convenient and sufficient seasons 
for a prayerful, systematic, and thorough study 
of the Bible, that you may grow in knowledge 
and in spiritual understanding of divine truth ; 
that you may be able to serve and worship God 
according to his will ; that you may not be 
tossed to and fro, and blown about by every wind 
of doctrine ; and that you may be perfectly join- 
ed together in the same judgment respecting 
the essential doctrines and duties of religion. 

Rev.iii. 1. Josh. i. 8. Ps. i. 2. 2 Pet. i. 19 -21. 2 Pet. 
iii. 18. 1 Cor. ii. 13, 15. Col. i. 9. Rom. xii. 2. Acts xxii. 
14. Heb. xiii. 21. 1 John v. 14. Eph. iv. 14, 15. 1 Cor. 
i. 10. 



62 

9. Guard against a selfish and exclusive de- 
votion to your own interests, and endeavor in 
all suitable ways to promote the well being of 
your fellow men. 

1 Cor. xiii. 5. Phil. ii. 4. 1 Cor. x. 24. Luke vi. 31. 

10. Cultivate a kind and benignant temper 
towards all, and strive to avoid everything that 
will tend unnecessarily to wound the character 
or feelings of others. 

Rom. xii. 10, 18. 2 Pet. i. 7. Col. iii. 12 - 14. 

11. Make it your great object to understand 
clearly, and to perform faithfully, all the duties 
resulting from your several relations as men and 
as Christians. The following passages exhibit 
the duties : 

(1.) Of Pastors towards the Church. Acts xx. 28. 
Eph. iv. 11, 12. Rom. xii. 6-8. 2 Cor. i. 4. Mai. ii. 7. 
1 Tim. iv. 12, 13. 2 Tim. ii. 15. Tit. i. 9. 1 Pet. v. 2. 

(2.) Of the Church towards their Pastor. Gal. vi. 6-8. 
1 Cor. ix. 7-14. 1 Thes. v. 12, 13. 1 Tim. v. 17. Heb. 
xiii. 17. Acts ii. 42. 1 Thes. v. 25. Heb. xiii. 18. Acts 
xii. 5. 2 Cor. i. 11. Rom. xv. 30. Eph. vi. 18, 19. 

(3.) Of Church members towards each other. To cul- 
tivate mutual love. Eph. v. 2. 1 Thes. iii. 12. John 
xiii. 34. To refrain from speaking evil of each other. Tit. 



63 

iiL 2. James iv. 11. To admonish one another. Rom. 
xv. 14. Col. iii. 16. Heb. iii. 13. To minister to each 
other's wants. Rom. xii. 13. 1 Tim. vi. 18. 1 Pet. iv. 9, 
10. To pray for each other. James v. 16. To comfort 
one another in times of affliction. 1 Thes. iv. 18. 1 Thes. 
v. 14. To promote each other's edification in knowledge 
and holiness. 1 Thes. v. 11. Tit. ii. 3. Heb. v. 12. 
Heb. x. 24. Col. iii. 16. 



(4.) Of every member towards the Church. Gal. vi. 10. 
1 Cor. xiv. 12. 1 Cor. x. 32. 



(5.) Of householders towards their families. Gen. xviii. 
19. Deut. vi. 7. Eph. vi. 4, 9. Col. iv. 1. Prov. xxii. 6. 
1 Tim. iii. 4 5 12. Ps. ci. 2, 7. 2 Sam. vi. 20. Prov. xxxi. 
27. Acts xvi. 15, 33, 34. Matt. xix. 13, 14. 

(6.) Of children and domestics towards heads of families. 
Exod. xx. 12. Eph. vi. 1 -3. Eph. vi. 5-8. 1 Tim. vi. 
1, 2. Tit. ii. 9, 10. 

12. Frequently review the solemn Covenant 
which you have entered into with God and his 
people, and study to reform whatever has been 
wrong in your temper or conduct, and to bring 
your whole inward and outward life into har- 
mony with what, you have publicly engaged to 
do, relying upon the atoning merits of your cru- 
cified Redeemer for pardon and acceptance, and 



64 

upon the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit 
for growth in grace, and complete victory over 
sin. 

Deut. iv. 23. 1 Chron. xvi. 15. Jer. xi. 2, 3. Rom. xL 
27. Deut. xxix. 9. Heb. xii. 24. Eph. i. 12 - 14. 

13. Finally, whatsoever things are true, 
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things 
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoev- 
er things are lovely, whatsoever things are of 
good report ; if there be any virtue, and if there 
be any praise, think on these things. 



And the peace of God, which passeth knowl- 
edge, shall keep your hearts and minds through 
Christ Jesns, 



ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES. 



AND 



STANDING RULES 



" For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, 
joying, and beholding your Order, and the steadfastness of your faith in 
Christ.— Col. ii. 5. 



6* 



The form of Government adopted by this Church 
is that set forth in the Cambridge Platform, agreed 
upon by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches, 
assembled in the Synod at Cambridge, 1648, from 
which the following principles are in substance se- 
lected, for the benefit of those members who have not 
access to the original work. 



ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES, 



CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 

1. Church government and discipline is that 
form and order which Christ has required to be 
observed in his church upon earth, both as to its 
constitution, and all the ordinances which are 
administered in it. 

NATURE OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 

2. The Christian church is a spiritual king- 
dom, of which Jesus Christ is the supreme head 
and lawgiver, embracing all who are described 
in the Scriptures as the covenant people of God, 
throughout the world. 

A CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

3. A Congregational Church is a portion of 
the visible church, consisting of a convenient 
number of visible believers, united in one body 



68 

by a holy covenant, submitting to a scriptu- 
ral form of government, and meeting together 
in one place for the worship of God ; for the 
regular administration of the sacraments of the 
gospel ; for the exercise of discipline ; and for 
their mutual edification in the knowledge and 
fellowship of the gospel. 

RIGHTS OP THE CHURCH. 

4. Every particular church is a complete 
body in itself, and has authority to adopt that 
form of government which appears most agreea- 
ble to the word of God ; to manage its internal 
affairs; to choose those officers whom Christ 
has designated and ordained to teach and rule 
in the Church ; to regulate the admission, dis- 
cipline, and removal of its own members, ac- 
cording to the rule laid down in the Scriptures ; 
and is amenable to no ecclesiastical power 
upon earth, except by its own consent, or agree- 
ably to the established usage of Congregational 
churches. 

PERMANENT OFFICERS. 

5. The ordinary and permanent officers of 
the church are Pastors and Deacons j who are 
to be regularly chosen and called by the particular 
church in which they are to minister, and after 



69 

thorough examination in respect to their fitness 
for the work to which they are called, to be 
ordained according to the mode approved and in 
use in Congregational churches. 

DUTIES OF PASTORS. 

6. It belongs to the office of Pastor, to take 
the oversight of the church in respect to spiritu- 
al things ; to preach the word j to administer 
the seals of the Covenant j to pronounce the 
sentence of the church upon offenders ; to call 
the church together upon necessary occasions ; 
to preside in all church meetings ; and finally 
to labor in all divinely appointed ways for the 
perfecting of the saints, and the edifying of the 
body of Christ, until they come to the unity of 
the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God ; 
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the ful- 
ness of the stature of Christ. 

DUTIES OF DEACONS. 

7. The duty of the Deacons is to receive 
and keep the funds of the church; to provide 
the necessary elements for the proper adminis- 
tration of the sacraments ; to apply such portion 
of the funds in their hands, as the church may 
direct, to the relief of the poor ; and in the ab- 



70 



sence of the Pastor, to preside in the meetings 
of the church in rotation. 



DUTY OF THE CHURCH TOWARDS ITS OFFICERS. 

8. Although churches cannot be compelled 
to receive any officer not freely chosen by them- 
selves, yet when a fit person is regularly or- 
dained over them by their own choice and con- 
sent, they are bound to submit to the authority 
with which he is invested by the Head of the 
church, and to esteem him very highly in love 
for his work's sake. 



MAINTENANCE OF PASTORS. 

9. It is the duty of the church to furnish a 
suitable and sufficient maintenance to those who 
are called to labor in word and doctrine, not as 
matter of alms, but of debt, that they may give 
themselves wholly to the work of the ministry, 
without embarrassment in respect to their tem- 
poral support. 

IMPORTANCE OF A PUBLIC PROFESSION. 

10. All believers ought to join themselves, 
if possible, to some particular church, that they 
may honor the Lord Jesus Christ by a public 



71 

profession of their faith, and subjection to the 
order and ordinances of the gospel ; that they 
may have fellowship with the visible people of 
God in their work and privileges ; that they and 
their children may receive the promises made to 
the Church ; and that they may be instrumental 
in promoting and perpetuating the visible king- 
dom of God upon earth. 

ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 

11. When a person wishes to join himself to 
the Church, he should make known his desire 
to the Pastor, or to one of the Deacons if the 
Church is destitute of a Pastor, and if there be 
no objection, he is at some convenient time to 
be examined by the Pastor and a committee of 
the Church as to his repentance towards God ; 
his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ ; his acquaint- 
ance with the doctrines and usages of the 
Church j and his preparation to perform the du- 
ties, and enjoy the privileges of a Church mem- 
ber ; and then, if the examination is satisfactory, 
he is to be propounded to the Church a reasona- 
ble time before his admission, that the brethren 
may be prepared to receive him as becometh 
saints. 

If any member of the Church feels seriously 
dissatisfied with the character or conduct of a 



72 

person propounded for admission, he should first 
endeavor to obtain satisfaction by a private in- 
terview with the candidate ; or, failing in this, 
he should state the ground of his dissatisfaction 
to the Pastor, or to one of the examining com- 
mittee, and to no other person, that suitable 
measures may be taken to remove the difficulty, 
and preserve the peace and purity of the Church. 

REMOVAL OF MEMBERS. 

12. No member may withdraw from the com- 
munion and fellowship of the Church in the 
worship and ordinances of the Gospel, without 
just and weighty cause j nor can any one cease 
to be under the watch, care, and discipline of 
the Church, except by excommunication for a 
violation of covenant, or by dismission and re- 
commendation to some other Church. 

If a member has occasion to remove for a sea- 
son to another place where there is a sister 
Church, letters of recommendation are requisite, 
and sufficient for communion with that Church 
in the ordinances of the Gospel. 

When a member wishes to remove perma- 
nently from one Church to another, it is his du- 
ty to ask for letters of dismission and recom- 
mendation, stating the grounds of his request, 
which the Church is bound to grant, unless the 



73 

removal be manifestly unsafe or sinful ; and any- 
other mode of withdrawing from the Church is 
disorderly and just ground of censure. 

RIGHTS OF MEMBERS. 

13. Every member of the Church is entitled 
to all its privileges, until they are forfeited by 
unchristian conduct ; and when thus forfeited, 
he can be deprived of them only by regular 
process of discipline. 

CHURCH DISCIPLINE. 

14. It is the duty of the Church to maintain 
that discipline which Christ has appointed ; for 
the removal of offences, for the vindication of 
the honor of religion, for the purification and 
edification of the Church, for the restoration of 
offending brethren, and for the purpose of 
averting the displeasure of God, which may 
justly be manifested towards a church that suf- 
fers the ordinances of religion to be profaned 
by obstinate offenders. 

PRIVATE OFFENCES. 

15. In all cases of private and personal of- 
fences, the offender is to be dealt with in the 
mode pointed out by Christ, Matt, xviii. 15, 16 ; 
and no complaint, or information, in respect to 

7 



74 

such offences, can be admitted by the Church, 
until the means of reconciliation and reclaiming 
the offender, there required, have been faithfully 
employed. If a person gives publicity to a pri- 
vate offence, except in pursuing the regular 
course of discipline, or in the discharge of some 
other indispensable duty, he sins against his 
brother, and is liable to the censure of the 
Church. 

PUBLIC OFFENCES. 

16. When an offence is at first public, and of 
a heinous and scandalous nature, the previous 
steps pointed out in case of private offences 
need not be taken j but the Church, upon a 
proper complaint, may take immediate cogni- 
zance of it. It is, however, in most cases ad- 
visable for some brother, or a committee of the 
Church, first to converse privately with the 
accused, 

PROCESS OF DISCIPLINE. 

17. When a member is complained of before 
the Church, he is entitled to due notice of the 
precise sin or sins with which he is charged ; to 
a reasonable time for preparing his defence ; and 
to an open and impartial hearing ; and no vote 
of censure can be lawfully passed by the Church, 



75 

except by the concurrence of a majority, at a 
regular meeting, expressly notified for that pur- 
pose. 

CHURCH CENSURES. 

18. If a person, when proved guilty of an 
offence by competent testimony, does not give 
satisfaction to the Church by a penitent confes- 
sion, he is to be admonished, publicly or pri- 
vately ; excluded from the enjoyment of church 
privileges ; or cast out of the Church by excom- 
munication, according to the nature and aggra- 
vation of his sin. If the sentence of the Church 
is followed by the humble confession, repent- 
ance, and obvious amendment of the offender, 
he is to be forgiven, comforted, and restored to 
his former standing in the Church. 

FELLOWSHIP OF CHURCHES. 

19. All those Churches which have obtained 
" like precious faith through the righteousness 
of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," and hold 
the same Divine Head, though distinct, ought to 
maintain church communion and fellowship, by 
extending to each other the privilege of com- 
munion at the Lord's Table ; by the mutual 
transfer of members when circumstances render 
removal expedient ; by the occasional exchange 



76 

of pastoral services ; by giving and receiving 
advice and assistance through mutual councils, 
agreeably to the established usage of Congrega- 
tional churches ; and by earnest efforts to pro- 
mote each other's welfare. 



STANDING RULES. 



1 . All meetings of the Church shall be open- 
ed with prayer. 

2. The annual meeting for the choice of Clerk, 
Examining Committee, and the transaction of 
other business, shall be in January ; the time 
to be appointed by the Pastor and Deacons, and 
notice to be given from the pulpit on the Sab- 
bath preceding. 

3. The Examining Committee, of which the 
Pastor and Deacons shall constitute a part, shall 
examine all candidates for admission, and present 
in a written report the names of such as they 
approve. 

4. Candidates for admission, whether by 
letter or profession, shall be propounded first to 
the Church, and notice thereof be given to the 
congregation, at least two weeks previous to 
their admission. 



78 

5. At the close of every Preparatory Lecture, 
there shall be a stated church meeting, at which 
the vote in relation to the admission of candi- 
dates shall be taken. 

6. All persons admitted to the Church shall 
be required to sign our Confession of Faith, Cov- 
enant, and Rules. 

7. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper is ad- 
ministered once in two months, on the after- 
noons of the first Sabbaths in January, March, 
May, July, September, and November. 

8. Those who join the Church by profession, 
shall be admitted in the presence of the congre- 
gation, after the Sermon, in the morning previ- 
ous to the administration of the Lord's Supper. 

9. Members of the Church, who are about to 
remove from town, are expected to make known 
their intention to the Pastor, and receive letters 
of recommendation to the church, if there be 
one in fellowship with us, in the place to which 
they are going ; and members of sister churches 
coming to reside for a season with us, and wish- 
ing to enjoy the privilege of communion with 
us, are expected to present similar letters from 
the churches to which they belong. 



79 

10. Members of other churches, who are per- 
manently settled in this place, and desire to 
walk in fellowship with the Church, are expect- 
ed to obtain a removal of their church relation 
to us, as soon as they conveniently can, unless 
they assign satisfactory reasons for delay to the 
Pastor. 

1 1. All applications for letters of dismission 
and recommendation shall be made in writing, 
stating the ground upon which they are de- 
sired. 

12. The Church shall meet on Friday even- 
ings for devotional exercises and religious con- 
ference. 

13. Any alteration may be made in these 
Rules, at a regular church meeting, called for 
the purpose. 



NAMES OE MEMBEES. 



OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH. 



Rev. JOHN A. ALBRO, Pastor. 

James Munroe, > ^ 

Stephen T. Farwell, 5 

Zelotes Hosmer, Clerk. 

The examining Committee consists of the 
Pastor, Deacons, and the following Brethren : 



William Saunders, 
William Greenough, 
Miles Gardiner, 



Zelotes Hosmer, 
Francis Nourse, 
Nathaniel Mullikin. 



NAMES OF MEMBERS. 



Note. — The following list commences with the 
Installation of Dr. Holmes. It contains the names 
of those who adhered to the Church at the time of its 
separation from the First Parish, and of all who have 
been admitted since that period. 

* Marks those who are deceased. 

t " those who have been dismissed to other 
churches. 

r. " those who were received by letter. 

1792. Jan. 25. *Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D., 

Pastor. 
*Susan Thorn, % 
^Jemima Flucker,J 
*Catharine Morse,J 

1793. Nov. 3. *Walter Dickson, 

fAnna Dickson, 
Lucy Dickson, (Mrs. Saw- 
in,) 
Dec. 8. *Mary Bates, 
1798. Sept. 2. Mehetable Hastings, 

X Dates of admission uncertain. 



84 



1800. 


Sept. 


25. 


Joanna Dana, 




Feb. 


9. 


*Lydia Kneeland, 


1801. 


Jan. 


5. 


Eliza F. Prentiss, 




Dec. 


27. 


*William Frost, 


1803. 


Jan. 


16. 


Rebecca Jarvis, 




Dec. 


30. 


# William Hilliard, Deacon. 
Sarah S. Hilliard, r. 


1806. 


Sept. 


31. 


James Munroe, Deacon. 




a 




Margaret Munroe, 


1808. 


Dec. 


4. 


Martha R. Dana, (Mrs. 
Allston,) 




(C 




Elizabeth E. Dana, 


1812. 


Nov. 


4. 


Ruth Conant, 


1815. 


Aug. 


13. 


Mary Munroe, 


1816. 


Sept. 


1. 


# Sarah Flagg, 




a 




^Esther Goodwin, 


1818. 


Sept. 


6. 


Samuel F. Sawyer, 
Patience Sawyer, 
William Saunders, 
Sarah Saunders, 


1819. 


Jan. 


3. 


Nathaniel Munroe, 




May 


2. 


fTorrey Hancock, 
*Isabella Hancock, 


1822. 


Dec. 


29. 


Richard H. Dana, 


1823. 


May 


4. 


Betsey Bates, 




July 


3. 


Rebecca Munroe, 


1824. 


Oct. 


24. 


*Susannah Gilson, 


1826. 


Feb. 


19. 


fAmy Elizabeth McKeen, 
(Mrs. Worcester,) 



85 
1826. 

1827, 



1828. 



1829. 



1830. 



Marc] 


'i 5. 


Hannah Prentiss, 
Elizabeth Watson, 


Nov. 


5. 


Susan Holt, 


July 


1. 


Jonathan C. Prentiss, 
Mary Prentiss, 
Persis Bates, 
Lydia Parker, 
Lydia Parker 2d, 
Mary Thayer, 
fJosiah W. Cook, 
^Catharine Smith, 


Jan. 


6. 


Sarah Ann Dana, 

Abigail Dana, 

Sarah Brown, (Mrs. Shed,) 


May 


4. 


Elizabeth Dana, 
fSarah Hancock, (Mrs. 
Cook,) 
fJohn Cragin, 
* Jacob Potter, 
* Abigail Frost, 


Oct. 


15. 


•(•Isabella J. Weeks, 


Sept. 


6. 


Sarah Anderson, 


Dec. 


13. 


fRev. Nehemiah Adams, r. 
Pastor. 
Elizabeth Hilliard, 
fEliza S. Newman, 
fThomas Dakin, 


Jan. 


3. 


William Raymond, 


May 


2. 


Elizabeth Bates, r. 


8 







86 

Cynthia Russell, r. 

Nancy Pickett, 

Sophronia W. Houghton, 

Mary Robbins, (Mrs. Hall,) 

fMary Chadbourne, 
July 4. Susan Bates, 

Abigail Gordon, 

Louisa Sawyer, (Mrs. 
Thurston,) 

Zoa Duntin, (Mrs. F. 
Wythe,) 

fHenry Nowell, 

•j- Abigail Nowell, 

fDavid McClure, 

fRoxanna L. Cook. 

fSusan F. Smith, 

# Catharine Locke, 

^Elizabeth Palmer, 

# Mary Currier, 
Sept. 5. Anna Bradshaw, r. 

Martha Sawyer, (Mrs. Law- 
rence,) 

Judith Lamson, 

fHarriet Low, 
Nov. 7. Samuel Pickett, 

Caroline Hawkins, (Mrs. E. 
Griffin,) 

fCalvin E. Stowe, r. 

fSarah Ann Wigglesworth, 
(Mrs. Hobart,) 



87 

fMary Ann Sawyer, (Mrs. 
Brower, ) 
fLucy Rice, v. 

1831. Jan. 2. Harriet C. Bowman, 

Eunice Gilson, (Mrs, Ban- 
croft,) 

Abigail J. Houghton, 

Huldah Knowlton, 

Hannah Hawkins, (Mrs. 
Griffin,) 

fEsther Symmes, 

fLydia Norton, 

fHannah Read, 
July 3. Joel Giles, 

Miles Gardiner, r. 

Lydia Gardiner, r. 

Rowena Pratt, 

Mary Lenard, 

Eliza Derby, 

fSusan Chadbourne, 

fAlvah Cragin, 

# Martha Boardman, 
Sept. 4. Hannah Barrett, 

Susan Cummings, 

Philena Janes, 

f Susan Mears, 

f Margaret P. Washington, 

1832. Jan. 1. Martha W. Russell, r. 
May 6. Thomas P. Lerned, 



1833. 



1834, 







Mary Allen, r. 






Emeline Brooks, 






f Aaron Pratt, 






fEnoch Noyes, 






fCharles Hayes, 






fMartha H. Adams, r. 


July 


1. 


Sarah Gates, r. 


Sept. 


% 


Stephen T. Farwell, r. 
Deacon , 
Mary Stedman, 
Anne Tolman, (Mrs. 
Wright,) 
Charles Nowell, 
Emeline Jones, 


Nov. 


3. 


Sarah A. Little, 
Miriam Gordon, (Mrs. G. 
Hayes,) 
Sarah Holt, (Mrs. Mullikin,) 


Jan. 


6. 


Rebecca Goodwin, 


March 


3. 


Emily Goodspeed, 
Louisa Tolman, (Mrs. Cate,) 
fRebecca Goodwin, (Mrs. 
C. Hayes,) 


July 


7. 


Lucy Brown, 
Sarah Goodwin, 


March 


2. 


Margaret Allen, r. 
Sarah Allen, r. 
Susan Allen, r. (Mrs. Mun- 
roe.) 


Nov. 


2. 


Lucy Willard, 



89 



1835. March 1. 

April 15 

July 5 

Sept. 6. 



1836. Jan. 4. 

1837. Jan. 1. 



March 5. 
ikfe/ 7. 



1838. Jan. 7. 
March 4. 

8* 



Mary S. Gould, 
John A. Albro, Pastor, r. 
Elizabeth S. Albro, r. 
Nathaniel Mullikin, 
Elizabeth T. Farwell, r. 
Mary Frost, r. 
Theresa Gould, (Mrs. Ste- 
vens,) 
Caroline Wright, 
Dorothea Derby, 
Sarah Joyce, 
Hannah Little, 
Eliza Gould, 
Sarah E. Conant, (Mrs. 

Nourse,) 
Hannah L. Conant, (Mrs. 

Basse tt,) 
Sarah H. Mullikin, r. 
fCaroline Read, (Mrs. Ora- 

gin>) 

Joseph Parker, 

Mary Parker, 
Augustus D. Carpenter, r. 
Elsey Kendall, r. (Mrs. Ler- 
ned,) 
Elizabeth Williams, 
John Allen, r. 
William Greenough, r. 
Sarah Greenough, r. 



90 

May 6. Lyman Thurston, r. 

Delia Thurston, r. 

Zelotes Hosmer, r. 

Louisa Hosmer, r. 

Robert S. Rogers, ?\ 

Mary Ann Rogers, 

Benjamin A. Spaulding, r. 

David Wright, r. 
July 8. Lucy Sawyer, 

Olive Abbott, 
Nov. 4. Mary Frost, 

Susan Parker, 

1839. Jan. 6. Frances Nourse, 

Mary Oliver, r. 

fAlfred C. Carpenter, r. 
May 5. Lyman Whiting, r. 

Sarah S. Hall, r. 

Harriet Priest, r. 
July 7. Hannah Smith, r. 
Sept. 1. Elizabeth H. Rogers, r. 
Nov. 3. Elizabeth Campbell, 

Anne Gould, 

Eliza J. Pike, (Mrs. Fuller,) 

1840. July 5. Experience D. Hyde, 

Elizabeth Willard, 
Harriet Lenard, 
Eunice Danforth, 
Clarissa Soule, 
Henry Frost, 
Charles Lenox> 



91 



Sept. 6. Lovey Dunham, 
Louisa Gurney, 

1841. Sept 5. Benjamin A Clark, r. 

Almira Clark, r. 
Harriet. Walton, r. 
Delia A. Thurston, 
Nov. 7. Sarah L. Clement, r. 

1842. Jan. % Ephraim S. Mullikin, 

Susannah Tufts, 
May 1. Jacob H. Bates, 
Charles Gould, 
William Bates, 
David Buck, 
William G. Dix, 
George Faulkner, 
David Campbell, 
Frederic A. Hunt, 
George S. Saunders, 
Francis B. Washburn, 
Frederic A. Mumler, 
Susan M. Green, 
Sarah Munroe, 
Deborah P. Hodgden, 
Mary E. Pickett, 
Sarah Brown, 
Lucy A. Divoll, 
Nancy ^4. Divoll, 
Rowena Divoll, 
*Sarah Lenard, 



PRESENT MEMBERS 



MALES. 

Albro, John A. Pastor. 
Allen, John 
Bates, Jacob H. 
Bates, William 
Buck, David 
Campbell, David 
Carpenter, Augustus D. 
Clark, Benjamin A. 
Dana, Richard H. 
Dix, William G. 
Farwell, Stephen T. Dea. 
Faulkner, George 
Frost, Henry 
Gardiner, Miles 
Giles, Joel 
Gould, Charles 
Greenough, William 
Hosmer, Zelotes 
Hunt, Frederic A. 
Lenox, Charles 
Lerned, Thomas P. 
Mullikin, Nathaniel 
Mullikin, Ephraim S. 
Mumler, Frederic A. 
Munroe, James, Deacon. 
Munroe, Nathaniel 



Nourse, Francis 
Nowell, Charles 
Parker, Joseph 
Pickett, Samuel 
Prentiss, Jonathan C 
Raymond, William 
Rogers, Robert S. 
Saunders, William 
Saunders, George S. 
Sawyer, Samuel F. 
Spaulding, Benjamin A. 
Thurston, Lyman 
Washburn, Francis B. 
Whiting, Lyman 
Wright, David 

FEMALES. 

Abbott, Olive 
Albro, Elizabeth S. 
Allen, Mary 
Allen, Sarah 
Allen, Margaret 
Allston, Martha R. 
Anderson, Sarah 
Bancroft, Eunice 
Barrett, Hannah 
Bassett, Hannah 



94 



Bates, Elizabeth 
Bates, Betsey 
Bates, Persis 
Bates, Susan 
Bowman, Harriet C. 
Bradshaw, Anne 
Brown, Sarah 
Campbell, Elizabeth 
Cate, Louisa 
Clark, Almira 
Clement, Sarah S. 
Conant, Ruth 
Cummings, Susan 
Dana, Joanna 
Dana, Elizabeth 
Dana, Abigail 
Dana, Elizabeth E. 
Dana, Sarah A. 
Danforth, Eunice 
Derby, Eliza 
Derby, Dorothea 
Divoll, Rowena 
Divoll, Lucy A. 
Divoll, Nancy A. 
Dunham, Lovey 
Farwell, Elizabeth X- C 
Frost, Mary 
Frost, Mary 
Fuller, Eliza J. 
Gardiner, Lydia 
Gates, Sarah 
Goodspeed, Emily 
Goodwin, Sarah 
Gordon, Abigail 
Gordon, Abigail A. 
Gould, Mary 
Gould, Eliza 
Gould, Anne 
Green, Susan M. 



Greenough, Sarah 
Griffin, Caroline H. 
Griffin, Hannah H. 
Gurney, Louisa 
Hall, Sarah S. 
Hall, Mary 
Hastings, Mehetabel 
Hayes, Miriam 
Hilliard, Sarah L. 
Hilliard, Elizabeth 
Hodgden, Deborah P. 
Holt, Susan 
Hosmer, Louisa 
Houghton, Sophronia 
Houghton, Abigail J, 
Hyde, Experience D. 
Janes, Philena 
Jarvis, Rebecca 
Jones, Emeline 
Joyce, Sarah 
Knowlton, Huldah 
Lamson, Judith 
Lawrence, Martha 
Lenard, Mary 
Lenard, Harriet 
Lerned, Elsey 
Little, Sarah A. 
Little, Hannah 
Mullikin, Sarah H. 
Munroe, Margaret 
Munroe, Mary 
Munroe, Rebecca 
Munroe, Susan 
Munroe, Sarah 
Nourse, Sarah E. 
Oliver, Mary 
Parker, Lydia 
Parker, Lydia 2d. 
Parker, Eliza 



95 



Parker, Susan 
Parker, Mary 
Pratt, Rowena 
Pickett, Nancy 
Pickett, Mary E. 
Pickett, Anne M. 
Prentiss, Mary 
Prentiss, Eliza F. 
Prentiss, Hannah 
Priest, Hannah 
Rogers, Mary Ann 
Rogers, Elizabeth H. 
Russell, Cynthia 
Saunders, Sarah 
Sawin, Lucy 
Sawyer, Patience 
Sawyer, Lucy 
Shed, Sarah 



Smith, Hannah 
Soule, Clarissa 
Stedman, Mary 
Stevens, Theresa 
Thayer, Mary 
Thurston, Delia 
Thurston, Delia A. 
Thurston, Louisa 
Tufts, Susannah 
Walton, Harriet 
Watson, Elizabeth 
Willard, Lucy 
Willard, Elizabeth 
Williams, Elizabeth 
Wright, Caroline 
Wright, Anne 
Wythe, Zoa 



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